Beauty and The Beast
Part IIII

A/N: Excuse the mistakes! Get comfortable, this is a doozy!

The Beast slept for three days after Caroline dragged him home. She'd stayed by his side and nursed him as well as she could. Caroline wasn't a healer by any means, but Shelia Bennett had taught her the basic aspects. Not that it mattered, her husband's many wounds had healed within hours of being home, but he still slept.

"Is it true that Klaus tortured her for eighteen years?" Caroline quietly questioned Rebekah on the third evening. She sat bedside to her husband, refreshing his face with a cool, damp cloth while his sister read aloud by the fire.

Rebekah paused, closing the book and turning to her. "Are you still thinking about Katerina?" She scoffed, "That woman married Klaus and seduced Elijah at the same time. She's a viper."

"Oh..." Caroline stood and walked to the open balcony. The wind felt like a heated caress in the cold stone castle. What kind man was Klaus? Evil and cruel? Charming and sweet? He seemed to have two sides, like a shiny coin. "So, it's true, then."

The older blonde frowned and turned back to the fire. "Katerina was kept prisoner here for stealing Klaus' blood and killing our witch. She took it and killed herself, transitioning into a vampire. My brother does not reward thievery and murder with kindness, so yes, it's true."

That did not make it okay, Caroline told herself, stubbornly. Klaus had threatened to imprison her for arguing with him. Would he do it for any slight he saw against himself? "I see." She turned back to the siblings.

Rebekah was standing beside Klaus with a heartbroken look. She reached down and pushed a curl off his forehead. "There's still good in him, Caroline." She told her. "I know my brother isn't the beast everyone makes him out to be."

Caroline was so torn, she had seen flashes of a good man behind his mask and was inclined to agree, but they didn't have to know that. "Why do you stay with him?" Rebekah had explained that Klaus daggered her for half a day for punishment after she'd broken Caroline's neck. She claimed he was sending a message. "You did nothing to be treated this way."

"Nothing?" Rebekah looked at her. "You're right, we did nothing. Nothing when our father beat him every day, insulted and demeaned him, and nothing when our mother cursed him-"

"He's cursed?" Caroline interrupted. "I thought he was just born a hybrid." At the family breakfast her second morning at Castle Black, Klaus had explained what he was. A mix between a vampire and werewolf, therefore, a hybrid. The only of his kind. He was also over five hundred years old. Caroline had grimaced and guzzled her blood wine to everyone's echoing laughter.

Rebekah had said too much; Klaus would not be happy with her. "It's not my story to tell." She finally answered.

That was all she was going to get on that subject, then. "I wonder why he's not waking." She took her place on his bedside. "Is Bonnie well enough to see him?" The circumstances of Katerina's escape had been explained by Elijah when she'd returned with Klaus. The stoic brother had seemed withdrawn and Rebekah's confession had made sense now; Elijah must have had genuine feelings for Katerina.

Kol never left Bonnie's room, much to her dismay. The witch had refused vampire blood and claimed a few days rest in bed would be all the healing she needed.

"Not yet. I'm going to retire to my chambers, you should do the same." Rebekah knew Caroline had been sleeping the chair beside Klaus. "I'll see you in the morning."

Caroline shrugged and fetched her blanket, preparing for another night in the uncomfortable chair. The heavy doors clicked behind the elder vampire as she left, leaving Caroline alone to her thoughts.

There was so many things she didn't understand about this new world. It was all so frustrating. What else could kill her? How many more enemies did Klaus have? Was she doomed to stay trapped in this castle forever?

An aching pain in the back of her neck woke Caroline from her sleep and she cracked open an eye to be blinded by the sun. "Ugh." She quickly shut her eye and laid her head back against the backing of the chair. Her neck complained about the repetitive sleeping position.

A puff of hot air in her face caused her to snap open her eyes. "Klaus!" She shrieked. Her husband was close enough to rub their noses together if he wanted. His blue eye's shined thoughtfully as he looked her up and down. "What are you doing?!"

"Deciding what I should do with my disobedient wife."

Caroline scrambled up and spluttered, "D-disobedient!" She flashed to the other side of the room. "May I remind you that this would've never happened if you hadn't frightened me!" Klaus slowly began to stalk her, never taking his eyes off the blonde trembling with outrage. "Stop-stop! What are you doing?!"

"I'm feeling a bit peckish, love." He smirked, double fangs glinting in the morning sun. "After getting my neck snapped, tracking down a beautiful baby vampire, and defending her against a pack of werewolves...I'd say I'm owed a nip from my sweet Caroline."

He backed her into a tapestry that hung on the stone wall beside the still burning embers from last night in the fireplace. "I don't think so-" Caroline growled. Klaus stepped closer with a grin. "Klaus, I'm warning you-"

The beast was suddenly across the room, with his hands behind his back, a triumphant smile on his face.

Her mind raced to figure out what had just happened. Was he-?! He couldn't be! "Are you jesting with me?" Incredulously gasped Caroline, flushing.

Klaus poured some spirits in a tumbler and sipped it, shrugging. "No one will ever believe you." He winked at her.

A giggled burst out of Caroline's mouth before she could stop it. She and Klaus looked at each other with wide eyes and raised brows, before both laughing at their behavior. Caroline couldn't help but to smile back at Klaus' contagious grin. He was truly breath-taking when he smiled.

The Beast loved being rewarded with a smile from his wife. He decided he'd have one at least every hour of every day for the next millennia. Caroline was so beautiful, he just had to say something. "You're strong, beautiful, and full of light, Caroline." He said seriously. "I enjoy you."

"Is that why you changed me?" She asked, she had to know why he'd chosen to end her human life. Caroline hoped his answer would give her the closure she needed. She'd never be able to enjoy her vampiric life without knowing.

"Yes." He replied, "And I also knew you would help me break my curse." The Beast walked to his balcony and gestured for her to join him.

That peaked Caroline interest. "Cursed?" She stood beside him, looking in to the beautiful blue skies and rolling green hills. She thought she spied a lake in the distance.

"As a hybrid, I'm supposed to be able to control when I shift into a wolf, but my mother bound me to the full moon like a common werewolf, forcing me to shift only then...and as painfully as possible."

"Oh." Caroline laid her hand on his. "I'm sorry, Klaus."

Klaus looked at her through his eyelashes, turning his palm up to hold the hand she'd offered as comfort. "I will never be a full hybrid until I fall in love and be loved in return." He scoffed. "Mother was very cruel."

Caroline thought for a moment. "You think that we...?" She blushed.

Klaus only looked at her, considering her for a moment. "We are the same, Caroline, you and I."

The blonde shook her head and twisted away, taking her hand and holding it to her chest. This was too much; too much too soon.

"I know you felt our connection. I have never felt that with anyone else in five hundred years." He grasped her elbow. "Don't deny me now, sweetheart."

Caroline turned to him, meeting his pleading blue eyes. She wanted to lie; more than anything, but her mother had taught her that truth costed nothing, while lies could cost everything. It wasn't worth it.

"Yes." She hissed, "I cover our connection with disgust and hostility!" Klaus frowned, his face melting from hopefulness to hopelessness. "Because I hate myself for the truth." She whispered, never breaking her stare. "I do feel our connection and I catch myself wanting to forget all the horrible things you've done...but I'm trapped in this castle, never to see my mother or Elena ever again."

The Beast considered her. "Is that what it takes to make you love me?" He asked quietly.

"You can't make someone love you, Klaus." She replied, holding his gaze. He looked so vulnerable in that moment, the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. "But it would be step in the right direction."

Klaus held his hand out, offering it to her. "Friends, then?" He knew her heart was within his grasp, it would just take a little time and patience. Luckily, he had limitless amounts of both.

Caroline beamed at him. "I would love that, husband." It was a little unorthodox truthfully, but all the best things were; in Caroline's opinion. She took his hand and gave it a little squeeze before he laid in in the crook of his arm.

"I have something to give you, sweetheart." He told her.

"Oh, I'm intrigued."

"Let's not waste any more time, then."

Caroline walked with her husband from the room, thinking how she'd already been given his most precious gift. She saw the way he looked at her; it was the same way Damon looked at her best friend, Elena.

I have my husband's heart...

They entered a room Caroline hadn't even known existed. It was filled to the brim with books and machinery. She couldn't stop the awe-struck gasp from her lips. It was decorated in rich red and brown earthy tones, much like their chambers. She noticed an 'M' on most of the tapestry.

"Can you read?" Klaus asked her.

"Not well." Caroline admitted. "My mother tried to teach me, but I confess that I'm a poor student." Her younger years had been filled with rebellion, she hadn't wanted to learn to read and write so Elizabeth hadn't pushed it.

"I can teach you, if you wish."

Caroline nodded, shy but grateful. "Thank you."

"Is there anything else I can teach my lovely wife?" He pondered aloud, watching her with gleaming eyes. "She has already mastered the art of the flesh so quickly, I fear I'll run out of subjects."

Caroline felt her face heat. "There will be no more 'mastering' if my husband doesn't learn to stop teasing!"

"If my wife wasn't so tempting," he claimed, "I wouldn't have to resort to teasing to get her to turn such a lovely color."

"I'm leaving!" She huffed. "If you can't behave." Caroline lifted her skirts and stalked back toward the doors they had entered.

"No, no, no." Klaus grabbed her shoulders and steered her toward another door within the enormous library. "You haven't received your gift yet." She felt his warm hands on her and relented, letting him lead her steps.

They approached a mahogany colored door and Caroline was surprised to discover it had no handle. "How do you open it?" She inquired. Vines and flowers were craved over the surface with a single metal indention in the center. It looked like some type key would fit inside it.

"Only I can enter." He informed her, "But I'll have Bonnie make another key, so you may visit anytime your heart desires."

Caroline glanced at her husband. She was excited, but wary. He had proven to be unpredictable at best.

The Beast reached inside his dark laced shirt and pulled out his many necklaces. He picked out a leather string with a gold key in the shape of a half-moon. He inserted it into the metal indention, turning it clockwise three times and counterclockwise two more. A click sounded as the door swung open by itself.

Klaus took her hand, azure-blue eyes dancing with a challenge.

Caroline loved challenges, it was a matter of pride for her to overcome them ever since she was a little girl. Her mother claimed it was the one characteristic her father had passed on to her. She accepted his challenge with raised eyebrows; taking her hand back and strutting past him into the dimly lit room.

"That's my girl." He cooed, following her in. His lovely little wife was a beautiful, fierce vision. She had yet to disappoint him in anyway, another reason he knew she would assist him with his curse.

"You're..." Caroline searched for the words. "A collector." She turned in a circle, taking in all the items displayed in the room. Truthfully, it wasn't a large room, but there wasn't a free inch of space. The left wall was covered in all types of weaponry; some she had no idea what they were even used for, the opposite wall housed rows of sculptures and other beautiful objects, paintings covered the area above. She had never seen the like. In a corner, a rack held clothing and a sealed case full of more jewelry than she'd ever seen in one place.

But what truly got her attention, was the huge mirror reflecting her visage in the middle of the room. The frame looked to be carved from gold; the light from outside was making it appear to glitter brilliantly.

"Wow!" She admonished stepping closer with Klaus on her heels. She could see dragons carved into golden frame, breathing fire and flying. He stood silently, watching her reactions to his collection with a watchful eye. Caroline looked to him for answers, "What is this?"

"The last Mirror of Somnia Vera Facit." Caroline stared at him blankly. "Dreams Come True." He translated with a chuckle. "It is said their magical properties come from dragons. The mirrors were created with an incredibly complex list of ingredients; like the dying breath of an alpha dragon." The absolute expression of wonder on Caroline's face felt like a balm to the empty blackness he'd come to recognize as his soul. "Stand before the looking glass and think of the person or place you want to see and one step through the mirror will take you there."

"Anywhere? Anyone?"

"Yes, love."

"Like my village?"

"And anywhere else your heart desires."

He watched the excitement light her face up. Caroline's sky-blue glittered with unshed tears of happiness and her sensual mouth held the biggest smile he'd ever seen. All evidence of the misery she'd expressed being locked here melted away and Klaus knew he was seeing her truly happy for the first time since their marriage.

Was he selfish for wanting that to himself?

"Klaus, I don't know what to say!" She exclaimed, almost bursting with glee. "This-I...It's-ugh, can we just go now?" She looked from him and back to the mirror.

"We?" His surprise must have shown on his face.

Caroline grasped his hand with a gentle smile. "Of course, Klaus. You still have a lot to make up to me, remember?" They grinned at each other and she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I can't let you off that easily, why...you'd take advantage of me every step of the way."

"Not I." His eyes flashed with playfulness. "I have no doubt that you'll put me in my place, wife."

Caroline gazed at her reflection with a mixed expression. The vampire in the looking glass stared back at her with a coy red-stained smile, dressed in an indecent red dress, blonde curls full and wild, and fangs on proud display.

For one, she was wearing a modest tan-colored dress and her hair was plaited down her back, away from her face. Two, she kind of liked what she saw, not that she'd ever tell anyone. "Klaus? Is this me?"

She turned her head, keeping her eyes trained on the mirror. Her image didn't do as she did. She looked at her husband with alarm.

The Beast paced behind her, keeping out of the mirror's direct reflection. "It's you." He confirmed, stopping just behind her. "The true you."

His explanation just confused her more. Klaus stepped closer; close enough that she felt his body heat through her muslin gowns. Caroline faced the glass again, and saw her reflection looking at the Beast in the mirror, a secret smile in place, just before she angled her head for a kiss. Her reflected husband never broke eye contact with her, even as he dipped his head to kiss her reflection. It was a hungry, possessive look that swallowed her whole.

The Beast -the real one- waved his hand and their reflections rippled like waves. Still the Klaus in the mirror gazed at her until he faded completely. She released a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.

"The true me?"

Klaus nodded. "Similar to how you view yourself." Caroline opened her mouth to deny it, but he held up a hand. "It's meant to be a private affair, but you invited me to come, remember?"

She pursed her lips and agreed. "I did." She met his eyes in the mirror. "So how does this work?" She felt the herself leaning back toward his warmth.

"Think of the place you want to go. It will also work if you imagine a person." He explained, gently running his fingers along her arms. His body heat and his touch combined caused goose bumps to raise along her skin.

Caroline imagined her mother's house; the painted walls, fur rugs, and mismatched furniture. It wasn't extravagant; for Elizabeth was only a candle maker, but it was the place she called home for seventeen years and she loved it. The mirror thrummed with magic, feeding into her mind and producing the place she thought of in the reflection.

Her childhood home appeared in the mirror. The yellow and orange flowers she planted last spring gave the brown three-room home some much needed color.

"It's lovely."

Caroline exhaled a shaky breath. "Thank you." The stomach-churning, miserable homesickness engulfed her abruptly, swallowing her like a drop in the ocean. A stinging tingle behind her eyes warned her of the tears threatening to spill. Caroline hadn't even seen anyone yet and already she was a mess! She took slow, calming breaths as she struggled to act normal.

Klaus watched his wife with an unreadable face. He wanted her to be happy with him, but he worried she'd leave and never return now that he gave her the means.

It just wasn't in his nature to be trusting.

He wanted to trust her.

The baby vampire thought of her mother's face just as she said, "Show me my mother, please." Cropped blonde hair the same golden shade as her own, blue eyes a touch too dark to be like her daughter's, and a no-nonsense attitude that left more frown wrinkles than laugh lines. Elizabeth had been widowed at a young age, leaving her to care for a baby Caroline alone. Years of hard-work and selflessness had left her stern and unrelenting.

The mirror rippled into another scene. Her mother was in the Elder's Hall; a place where you could go for help or grievances within the village.

Elizabeth's back was to them, but Caroline could tell she was angry. Her mother was brandishing her finger like a sword, stabbing the air in the direction of the elders that sat behind a long oak table.

"Can I hear her?"

"Unfortunately, no." Klaus said, "Is there anyone else you want to visit while your mother is occupied? The villagers might not take well to the Beast's bride stepping out of mid-air."

Caroline ached to hug her mother again, but she knew the Beast was right. She'd have to wait until her mother was alone at home. "Elena Gilbert-er, Salvatore, I mean." She told the mirror while answering her husband's question.

Silver waves rippled in a circle, revealing a dark-haired girl sitting alone beside a light filled window. She appeared to be absently sewing and watching for someone outside.

"She looks lonely." Klaus observed. "And disturbingly similar to Katerina."

"I thought Katerina was Elena when I first saw her in the woods." She admitted. "But Elena is the most caring, kind-hearted person I know." She gave Klaus a little side-eye. "And when we get back, we're going to have a long conversation about Katerina."

Klaus just caught himself from saying, yes, love. It would probably be best if Caroline didn't know she had him completely wrapped around her finger yet. He had a reputation to uphold, after all. And he didn't miss how she said, we get back. So, he urged her to see her friend, "Touch the mirror and step through, love."

Caroline took a deep breath and laid her palm flat on the cool surface of the mirror. She felt it give a little so she pushed on through and stepped into the room with her best friend.

The magic washed over her form like shockwave that she used to get from making a too big jump while Elena chased her through the village. It boarded on being painful as it traveled over her in waves. Thankfully, it was over as soon it began and she was left blinking into the sun shine filled room with Elena.

Whom screamed at the top of her lungs.

Caroline's sensitive hearing couldn't take such an ear-splitting screech, she slapped her hands over her ears with a grimace. "It's me!" She yelled over her distraught friend.

Elena had pressed herself back against the wall, chest heaving with fear. "Caroline?" She gasped out. "Wha-How are you here!?" The brunette threw herself into Caroline's outstretched arms, squeezing her friend for all her worth. "I thought you were a ghost!"

An unlady-like sob tore from Caroline's throat, tears welling in her sky-blue eyes as they sunk to the ground together. "It's me...just me." She held her best friend like she'd never touch her again. The sweet scent that was distinctly Elena filled her nose and mouth, beckoning her inner monster. Caroline was suddenly aware that she hadn't drunk any blood since last night.

That smell.

It was Elena.

Thump-thump-thump-thump.

It was deafening.

That smell and that sound.

She arched her neck back from her place on Elena's shoulder, trying to shake the fog from her mind. Her eyes instantly locked onto the visible vein pulsing with that sweet-smelling blood.

Fangs dropped into her mouth as her own veins enlarged around her eyes, turning them red. Oh god! Caroline felt her lip curl over her teeth, mouth opening wide to pierce that beckoning vein-

"Now, now, love. You've had a cold, remember? Wouldn't want to give it to your friend when you've only just reunited."

Klaus had finally made his entrance and luckily grabbed Caroline before she could eat her best friend. He'd twirled her around to face him while she got herself under control. Caroline's eyes were as big as saucers as she took deep, calming breaths. Did she just really do that?!

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Elena stood and dusted her dress off. "Caroline, are you okay? I can't believe you're here! What about The Beast?"

Klaus bowed. "At your service, sweetheart."

Elena's mouth fell open.

Caroline finally felt her mask slip away, she twisted back around much faster than humanly possible, but Elena paid her no mind. The brunette stared at Klaus with disbelief and horror. "Elena, hey, don't mind him." She waved her hand in front of Elena's doe-like eyes.

Elena blinked, looking at her best friend. "Is that The Beast?" She asked in a small voice.

Caroline nodded. "He won't hurt you, I promise. He's not as beastly as he seems."

The human looked back and forth between Caroline and Klaus. She leaned in close to Caroline. "He's handsome." She whispered.

Caroline rolled her eyes. She didn't need to turn around to know Klaus was smirking like an idiot. "I was just as surprised as you are when I married him." She didn't mention all the other not so good surprises since then.

Elena nodded absently, taking a step back and sitting down in her previous seat. "How'd you get here? It was like you weren't there and then just appeared the next instance."

"An enchanted mirror."

"...Of course."

"Are you okay?"

"Ow! Ow!"

"What are you doing?! Stop pinching yourself!"

"I'm trying to wake up! My best friend whom I'll never see again just appeared out of thin air thanks to a magical mirror and The Beast is handsome! I'm obviously dreaming!"

Klaus chuckled from behind them and Caroline shot him a venomous glare.

Caroline considered Elena for a moment before sitting in the chair opposite of her. "Ask me."

"What?"

"I'll prove that I'm real. Ask me something only I would know."

Elena's dark eyes stared at her thoughtfully. "Okay. What were the exact first words you said to me after you laid with Tyler Lockwood for the first time?"

"About you- ask me anything about you!" Caroline stressed, chancing a glance at Klaus. He was giving her a dark look.

Elena shrugged. "If you don't know..."

"Trick question." Snapped Caroline. "He missed and passed out on top of me."

The brunette burst out laughing.

Klaus even looked amused now. She glared at them both. "Now that we've established this isn't a dream, where's Damon?"

"He's working his father's pub with Stefan."

Caroline nodded. "Is it okay if I come visit again? I was on my way to see my mother."

"Of course!" Elena smiled. "You know she refused the gold?"

Honestly, it didn't surprise her, her mother was very stubborn. "I saw her through the mirror in the Elder's Hall."

"She goes every day to demand they bring you back."

The blonde giggled and sighed, "I need to see her." Caroline stood and hugged her friend before going to Klaus' side. "I'll come back soon. Tell Damon I'm still watching him."

The Beast held his palm out, finger's splayed. "Speculum, speculum, non revocare, ut mecum est in domum suam Castle Black." He turned his palm back and snapped his fingers. The mirror appeared before him, shining and reflecting their visages.

Elena gasped lightly. "Wow, Care." she used Caroline's nickname from their childhood and Caroline was suddenly not in any hurry to leave. It had been so amazing to see her best friends again, but she told herself Klaus said she could visit anytime. "I miss you already."

"I promise I'll be back before you know it." Caroline winked and took Klaus' hand, following him into the enchanted mirror. "Bye, 'Lena!"

They stood in Klaus' trophy room at Castle Black as soon as they stepped through the mirror. Caroline was glad to discover the magical shock waves of the mirror didn't hurt as much this time.

"What did you say?"

Klaus showed her the hand movements again. "The spell to return is in Latin. It roughly translates to 'Mirror, mirror, I call back, take me home to Castle Black.'"

"Nice rhyme." Caroline smirked, "Will that work if I say it?"

"Yes." He answered simply. Klaus slipped his sleeve up his arm, watching her all the while. His face turned monstrous as he brought his wrist to his mouth and bit.

The scent of his blood forced her fangs to sharpen in her mouth. "What are you doing?"

"Feeding my wife."

Caroline turned her head with much difficulty. "I've been drinking blood-mead since you slept. I like it better."

Klaus gave her a look that plainly said, who are you fooling?, and put his wrist in her line of vision. With a frustrated groan, Caroline snatched his wrist and latched on, sighing with pleasure. Klaus used her momentum to back her against his chest so he could stroke her silky plaited hair. He watched her in the mirror. "You're still learning to temper your impulses, love. It's best to be well fed before interacting with anymore tasty smelling humans."

Caroline nodded, meeting his gaze in the mirror. She released his wrist after one last long draw. "Thank you for stopping me. I couldn't seem to stop myself."

"Don't thank me." He replied. "Control comes from age, you'll have it before you know it." He noticed she'd stopped before he felt their connection. He couldn't hide his disappointment.

"I detest being out of control." She admitted. "You make me feel that way."

She thought he would be upset at her admission, but her husband just pinched her chin, bring their lips together for a chaste kiss. It was over so fast, she didn't even have the opportunity to kiss back. Caroline raised her blonde brows, silently questioning him.

"I must be doing something correct, then."

"That remains to be seen." She quipped back, rolling her eyes. "Now..." Caroline gestured to the mirror. "Let's see what my mother is up too."

Elizabeth didn't bat an eye when her daughter appeared abruptly out of thin air. She simply pulled her teary daughter into a comforting hug. "My sweet Caroline." She breathed, lines of worry melting from her tired face.

Then her mother spied Klaus; he watched them with an expressionless face. The older blonde whipped out a pair of cutting shears, threatening him. "Get out of my house, Beast."

"Mom!"

Klaus held up his hands in mock surrender, letting his hybrid features take over his face.

"Klaus!"

Elizabeth pursed her lips, taking in his golden and black eyes and sharp smile. Caroline took the opportunity to get in between them, facing her mother.

"How did you know it was him?" She inquired.

Elizabeth made a sound of distaste, setting her weapon down but crossing her arms over her chest. "My daughter shows up suddenly with a man as handsome as the devil? Of course, he's The Beast of Castle Black."

"Clever woman." Klaus said silkily. Caroline turned to shoot him a dirty look, finding his face normal. "I see where Caroline gets it from." He continued, unabashedly trying to flatter her mother.

Elizabeth was having none of it. She scoffed at him, turning to her daughter. "Why did you go, Caroline? It was so foolish."

"It's in the past." Caroline huffed. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

"That depends."

"On?"

"If it-" she pointed to Klaus. "will let you go."

Klaus growled deep in his throat. Caroline knew she'd have to diffuse this situation and the only way her mother would drop it was if she thought her daughter was happy.

The blonde vampire took her place beside Klaus, surprising him. She laced their fingers together and brought his hand to her lips. She met her mother's unflinching gaze as she gave his hand a quick peck. "I want to stay with him." It wasn't a total lie, she would stay to guarantee her village's safety as per the agreement when she volunteered.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed.

"He's good to me, Mom." Ok, not a total lie. He did save her from being eaten and gave her a way to see her family and friends again. She felt Klaus' piecing gaze on her.

Her mother still looked suspicious.

"He makes me happy." She tried plainly.

Elizabeth exhaled. "This is the life you want?" Caroline nodded, surprised at what a good liar she was. "Will you visit often?"

"She can come anytime she desires." Klaus injected. "I want Caroline happy as well." The truth of his words struck a chord within him. He truly did want his wife to be happy, but what did that entail?

At best?

Caroline would love him and stay by his side for eternity.

At worst?

He'd let her go to live the life she deserved, without him.

An unmistakable feeling bubbled in his gut as he excused himself to step back through the mirror. Caroline met his gaze and smiled warmly, continuing to visit with her mother. Klaus stumbled through the enchanted mirror and turned back to it, gripping the metal frame so hard he felt it give beneath his fingers. He looked at his beautiful wife and her mother through the looking glass.

Caroline was laughing at something Elizabeth had said, her face relaxed and shining with the light that was undeniably hers alone. His breath fogged against the glass, blurring the two women from his vision.

For the first time in centuries, he cared for someone that wasn't family.

The beast loves...

If it is too big to read, please let me know and I'll start cutting them in half.
I struggled with this chapter, I've worked on it all week. If you follow me, I posted a TVD/Supernatural Klaroline AU last Saturday and promised to have this posted yesterday.

One day late isn't so bad, right? So if you like Supernatural, go check out Little Shadow.

Tiffy-wa~